Facial Recognition IDs North Korean Soldiers in Russia-Ukraine War

The United States confirmed for the first time that North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia to support its military efforts in Ukraine. And the confirmation of North Korean involvement comes on the back of intelligence gathered through facial recognition technology, an increasingly important tool in modern warfare.

The development follows reports from South Korean lawmakers that North Korea has sent 3,000 soldiers to Russia, with additional troops expected to arrive, totaling 10,000 by the end of the year.

Facial recognition technology played a crucial role in identifying North Korean officers operating in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) collaborated with Ukrainian intelligence to employ the technology, confirming the presence of North Korean military personnel who were assisting Russian forces.

This is not the first instance of facial recognition being involved in the conflict. Since the early stages of the war, Clearview AI has provided its facial recognition services to the Ukrainian government. Ukrainian forces have used the technology to identify Russian soldiers, both dead and alive, and to verify identities at checkpoints and borders. The technology has also been used in humanitarian efforts, helping to identify displaced persons and reunite families separated by the war.

Facial recognition technology has also been used for war crimes investigations. Ukrainian officials have used it to gather evidence and identify Russian soldiers responsible for atrocities, with the goal of holding them accountable in international courts.

The deployment of North Korean troops in Russia comes at a time when Russia is facing significant manpower shortages. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has suggested that the presence of North Korean soldiers may indicate that Russian President Vladimir Putin is struggling to maintain sufficient troop numbers for the ongoing war in Ukraine. North Korea’s involvement adds another dimension to the conflict, raising concerns among Ukraine’s allies, including the U.S. and South Korea.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for international action in response to this new development, while U.S. and South Korean officials warn of the serious consequences should North Korean troops actively engage in combat. With the support of facial recognition technology, the evidence of North Korean involvement is almost irrefutable, and the international community is now faced with new challenges as it navigates the complexities of this expanding war.

Source: Reuters

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October 23, 2024 – by Cass Kennedy